Geno Auriemma is stepping into the broadcast booth for a one-time showcase on ESPN. The UConn women’s basketball coach joins ESPN’s WNBA coverage Tuesday night in an analyst role.
What We Know: Auriemma will call the Dallas Wings vs. New York Liberty game Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET alongside Beth Mowins and Robin Roberts. The matchup features several of his former UConn stars, including Wings guards Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd and Liberty forward Breanna Stewart. Notably, Auriemma and Roberts both worked ESPN’s WNBA broadcasts during the league’s debut season in 1997. The pairing brings a full-circle moment to Tuesday’s telecast. In an interview with Richard Deitsch, Auriemma says he hasn’t fully closed a door into broadcasting post-career at UCONN.
What They Said: Geno Auriemma (via The Sports Media Podcast w/Richard Deitsch): “It’s kind of yes and then at the same time it’s how much is this going to require if I were to do this full time down the road. Is this another full time job with lots of traveling, going from stadium to stadium? All the things that I’m doing now, and is that all you want to do where you do a bunch of WNBA games or college women’s games. That would be great and I’m sure there’s a lot to be said for that.
I would like to stay in the competitive aspect of it where it would be something like let’s make sure we have a better show than so and so does. Or we’re viewed as these guys are really good. I certainly have enough players in that particular league [the WNBA] and have seen enough games and coached enough games. So if there was ever a time when the schedule would be something that I could handle, sure, absolutely, I would love to do it.”
What Remains Unclear: Whether Tuesday’s broadcast signals a long-term shift toward media work remains an open question. Auriemma has not set a timeline for retirement from UConn, so any full broadcasting career stays speculative.
What It Means: For now, Tuesday’s assignment offers a preview rather than a commitment. Auriemma’s comments suggest genuine interest, but travel demands could ultimately shape his decision. His ties to elite WNBA talent and the game of basketball, however, give him a built-in advantage if he pursues broadcasting seriously.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.